That is a private company, usually hired by apartment or Mall to issue parking tickets. Since that is a private, it is very difficult to fight against them. If you don't pay, they let some company to collect unpaid tickets, it is different from City that you can appeal. There was something similar happening in Toronto that a City Councilor who went to pay the ticket and found out that was issued by private company. The company will print those tickets look very close tickets issued by City.
Try to call them and explain your mistake (the number should be on the back of the ticket). They probably can waive the ticket if it is your firsty time.
Good point!
Illegal parking is CITY by-law.
If that company is ISSUNG tickets for many years, I doubt that is illegal.
From apartment (and mall) management point of view, they authorized that company to issue tickets, this guarantees the management company doesn't need to hire anybody to look for illegal parking in their apartment or mall, and then call City of Ottawa to come and issue tickets. The private company will do it, since ALL ticket money goes into that private company pocket. Hence, I doubt (that is the reason why there is not COURT you can appeal) you reach anybody, usually they will ask you pay the ticket first....